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Itinerary for Sep 4 — Sep 19, 2013

Description: The Divani Caravel is a luxury Athens hotel ideally situated in the heart of Athens, just minutes away from the business centre, the fashionable Kolonaki with its exclusive shopping, trendy cafes and restaurants as well as important museums such as the Museum of Cycladic Arts and the National Gallery.

Facility amenities: Every room of our luxury Athens accommodation is recently renovated, well appointed with all the modern amenities, and stylish furnishings. The hotel features a swimming pool and fitness center.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Description: The Divani Caravel is a luxury Athens hotel ideally situated in the heart of Athens, just minutes away from the business centre, the fashionable Kolonaki with its exclusive shopping, trendy cafes and restaurants as well as important museums such as the Museum of Cycladic Arts and the National Gallery.

Facility amenities: Every room of our luxury Athens accommodation is recently renovated, well appointed with all the modern amenities, and stylish furnishings. The hotel features a swimming pool and fitness center.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Morning: Lecture at hotel before departing on a city excursion of Athens. On a tour to Athens you will view many significant historical and archaeological monuments that date back to the Golden Age of Pericles, in the 5th century BC. During that time, the wealthy, newly democratic and invigorated city-state decided to rebuild the Temples on top of the Acropolis in great splendor. Visit the Parthenon, dedicated to the Goddess Athena, a unique masterpiece of Greek Architecture. This monument is recognized as the culmination of Greek architecture and sculpture. Examine the Propylea, which blends Doric and Ionic building principles. Continue to the Temple of the Athena Nike (Wingless Victory) and the Erechtheum Temple, which was formerly used for cult worship and consists of three basic parts: the main Temple, the north extension and the famous Porch of Maidens. Explore the Museum of the Acropolis housing many masterpieces. View Mars Hill, where St. Paul preached Christianity. You will also be seeing the Ancient Agora, Tower of the Winds, Herodes Atticus Theater, Theater of Dionyssos,Temple of Zeus, see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the former Royal Palace which is now the House of Parliament. Continue to the University of Athens, the Academy of Athens, the National Library and then to the “Panathenian” Olympic Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. After a short photo stop at the Olympic Stadium you return to the port of Piraeus.

Lunch: Lunch at a local hotel.

Afternoon: Visit the National Archaeological Museum. Spend the afternoon visiting the most important museum with artifacts of Greek civilization dating back 5,000 years. You will visit the Golden collection of Mycenae and witness exquisite works in gold dating back to the 2nd millennium BC along with golden death masks that have been excavated by Schliemann. You will follow the evolution of Greek sculpture in marble and bronze from the Archaic to the Roman period. See the marvelous frescoes that adorned the walls of the palace and houses of the Akrotiri in Santorini dating back from the 2nd millennium BC.

Description: The Divani Caravel is a luxury Athens hotel ideally situated in the heart of Athens, just minutes away from the business centre, the fashionable Kolonaki with its exclusive shopping, trendy cafes and restaurants as well as important museums such as the Museum of Cycladic Arts and the National Gallery.

Facility amenities: Every room of our luxury Athens accommodation is recently renovated, well appointed with all the modern amenities, and stylish furnishings. The hotel features a swimming pool and fitness center.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Morning: Take a break from modern day Athens and journey into the past as you enter the island of Pelop, the Peloponese after crossing the awe-inspiring Corinth Canal. The canal offers a unique experience to the visitor and you will realize the enormity of the achievement as you will have the opportunity to photograph it en route. After the Corinth Canal, you enter the region of Argolis,land of Homer’s Golden Mycenae. Mycenae gave its name to the civilization on mainland Greece and the Greek islands. The German archaeologist Schliemann was the one who excavated Mycenae and uncovered the Royal Tombs recognizable from the wealth of objects found there. Among the finds were golden death masks, jewelry, bronze weapons inlaid with gold and a lot more ornaments all of which are displayed in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. You will see the Cyclopean Walls, the Lion’s Gate, the Royal Tombs and the Treasury of Atreus, a magnificent 14th century BC structure. Break for lunch in a charming local restaurant. After lunch, you will continue on to Nauplion, one of the most charming towns in Greece and the country’s first capital after the war of Independence. A 30-minute drive takes you to Epidaurus. In antiquity, Epidaurus was the center of the Greek medical world and birthplace of Asklepios, patron god of medicine. Psychotherapy, hydrotherapy and brain surgery were some of the treatments performed here. The highlight is of course, its famous theater boasting the best acoustics in the world, even today.

Description: ATRION hotel welcomes you to a quiet corner in the heart of Heraklion, a short walk from the Historical museum, seafront promenade and Venetian port.
Fully renovated in 2004, this modern, minimal-style hotel is right next to Heraklion's vibrant center, with its cafés, shopping center, tavernas and museums but also a short stride from the seashore. The island's main highways can be easily accessed from the hotel, making it an ideal base for discovering the island by car.
With its new conference center, business facilities and friendly service, the hotel offers you an environment to suit any mood: business or pleasure.

Description: ATRION hotel welcomes you to a quiet corner in the heart of Heraklion, a short walk from the Historical museum, seafront promenade and Venetian port.
Fully renovated in 2004, this modern, minimal-style hotel is right next to Heraklion's vibrant center, with its cafés, shopping center, tavernas and museums but also a short stride from the seashore. The island's main highways can be easily accessed from the hotel, making it an ideal base for discovering the island by car.
With its new conference center, business facilities and friendly service, the hotel offers you an environment to suit any mood: business or pleasure.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Six: Monday, September 09 -

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Depart for a full day excursion to Gortys, Phaestos and Matala. After breakfast, drive through the most picturesque landscape of central Crete to visit the ancient town of Gortys. Ancient Gortys used to be one of the most powerful cities of historic and prehistoric times. It is well known for its Law Code carved on stone blocks discovered in the Odeum. Other important monumenst on site are the Acropolis and the church of St. Titus. Next stop is the renowned palace of Phaistos which was an important centre for the Minoan civilization. From Phaistos the view of the Messara plain and the Ida range is superb. The tour continues southbound to the coastal village of Matala the ancient port of Gortys and Phaistos where lunch will take place. Matala features one of the best beaches in Crete with artificial caves carved into the north face of the coast. In prehistoric times the caves were used as tombs while during the 60’s the caves hosted a hippie commune! Return to the hotel. Dinner will take place in a local establishment called “Ouzeri” where the locals enjoy Ouzo and Cretan mezedes (tidbits). Return to the hotel and Overnight.

Description: ATRION hotel welcomes you to a quiet corner in the heart of Heraklion, a short walk from the Historical museum, seafront promenade and Venetian port.
Fully renovated in 2004, this modern, minimal-style hotel is right next to Heraklion's vibrant center, with its cafés, shopping center, tavernas and museums but also a short stride from the seashore. The island's main highways can be easily accessed from the hotel, making it an ideal base for discovering the island by car.
With its new conference center, business facilities and friendly service, the hotel offers you an environment to suit any mood: business or pleasure.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Seven: Tuesday, September 10 -

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Field trip to Knossos and museum. Depart from the hotel to visit Knossos the renowned Minoan Palace! Two brilliant palaces built in Neolithic times… Visit the room of the thrown and the frescoes depicting the Prince of Crete. Every single stone suggests that a great civilization was born in this very place. Proceed to the National Museum of Heraklion that hosts the world's richest collection of Minoan items such as jewelry, statues masterpieces of miniature sculpture and signed engraving. It will certainly create a feeling of admiration and awe for an era long gone…. After the visit to the Museum drive to a small village to meet Mrs. Katerina and experience the art of Cretan cooking! Guests will learn how to prepare Cretan delicacies and then lunch will follow. After lunch drive back to the hotel. Free time and dinner in the hotel.

Description: A few metres from the sandy beach, close to the city's business and financial districts and a short distance from many of the ancient sites, the Semiranis Hotel is suitable for business and leisure travellers alike.
Reflecting all that, is best in the city from the magical views of the Old Town and New Town, the Semiramis Hotel is a haven of friendliness in hospitality.
Its warm atmosphere in the lobby, the Cocktail Bar and restaurant are a small welcome to the most cosmopolitan island in Greece. Very comfortable rooms including the new superior floors with higher standards for the more demanding traveller. Most of the rooms have views of Rhodes Town and the Aegean Sea.

Description: A few metres from the sandy beach, close to the city's business and financial districts and a short distance from many of the ancient sites, the Semiranis Hotel is suitable for business and leisure travellers alike.
Reflecting all that, is best in the city from the magical views of the Old Town and New Town, the Semiramis Hotel is a haven of friendliness in hospitality.
Its warm atmosphere in the lobby, the Cocktail Bar and restaurant are a small welcome to the most cosmopolitan island in Greece. Very comfortable rooms including the new superior floors with higher standards for the more demanding traveller. Most of the rooms have views of Rhodes Town and the Aegean Sea.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Nine: Thursday, September 12 -

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Full day excursion to the Old City and Lindos. Your tour today starts with a scenic drive to the Acropolis of Lindos.As soon as you arrive in Lindos you will climb the steps to the Acropolis where you will have an extensive guided tour of the premises . After the tour of the Acropolis and the church in Lindos and a short time for a photo opportunity, you will proceed to the meeting place from which you will be taken for a typical Greek lunch in Haraki village. After enjoying your lunch, your tour will take you in Rhodes Town after a slow ride around the seaside roads of the city, accompanied by a narration from your guide. The bus continues to drive to the ancient stadium of the Temple of Apolonos, where you will have a guided tour and an opportunity to take photographs. You are then driven to the walls of the Old Town where your tour continues on foot and you will walk through the Gate d’Amboise in the Old Town. You will be guided through the Palace of the Knights, see the Inn of England and the Archaeological Museum. When the guided tour is completed, you will have some free time for an independent exploration of the Old City and you will enjoy your lunch at a local restaurant.

Description: A few metres from the sandy beach, close to the city's business and financial districts and a short distance from many of the ancient sites, the Semiranis Hotel is suitable for business and leisure travellers alike.
Reflecting all that, is best in the city from the magical views of the Old Town and New Town, the Semiramis Hotel is a haven of friendliness in hospitality.
Its warm atmosphere in the lobby, the Cocktail Bar and restaurant are a small welcome to the most cosmopolitan island in Greece. Very comfortable rooms including the new superior floors with higher standards for the more demanding traveller. Most of the rooms have views of Rhodes Town and the Aegean Sea.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Ten: Friday, September 13 -

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Visit a local wine factory with meze. Your tour commences from the port and takes you along the sea front roads around the new city, as well as on a panoramic tour of the ancient stadium of Apolonos where you will stop for a short guided tour and to take photographs. You will then be driven to the CAIR wine factory ,one of the two local distilleries in Rhodes, you will have a guided tour of the factory. Your guide will take you through the actual wine making progress and when the tour is completed, you will have an opportunity to savour the wines, if you so wish. When the tour of the winery is finished you will be taken to the old town where you will have the chance to taste the other famous Greek drink, Ouzo, along with a traditional Meze.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Eleven: Saturday, September 14 - Ephesus

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Transfer to port for ferry to Marmaris, Turkey. Upon arrival, drive to Ephesus, stopping at Euromos to see one of the best preserved ancient temples in antiquity. Site lecture on the cult of Zeus and Mycanean times.

Lunch: Lunch en route.

Afternoon: Enjoy a visit to Didyma home to the largest temples of antiquity dedicated to Apollo. Didyma contained a temple and oracle of Apollo, the Didymaion. In Greek Didyma means "twin". Next to Delphi, Didyma was the most renowned oracle of the Hellenic world but an establishment preceding literacy and even the Hellenic colonization of Ionia.
Didyma was the largest and most significant sanctuary on the territory of the great classical city Miletus.

Smoking policy: NoSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Twelve: Sunday, September 15 -

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Enjoy a morning lecture on Ephesus and its ancient graffiti and its meanings. Following the lecture, we will begin our exploration of Ephesus.Ephesus by far is the most important, largest and the best preserved ancient archeological site in Turkey. Once the capital of the Asia Minor province of the Roman Empire and the most important port on the Aegean, Ephesus enjoyed immense wealth and prosperity in ancient Greek and Roman periods. It is a fascinating feeling to walk on the same marble streets that were once trodden by Alexander the Great, Hadrian, St.Paul, and Virgin Mary. The grand theater with its 24,000 people capacity and the marvelous Library of Celsus still awe their visitors.

Lunch: Lunch en route.

Afternoon: Field trip to the Museum of Ephesus to see the magnificent artifacts uncovered at the site and the Temple of Artemis, once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Description: The Hotel Armada's exterior and interior architecture reflect local turkish motifs. Located in the Old City, Armada Hotel is right by the Old City walls and along the Sea of Marmara. It's convenient location is within walking distance of many sites of attraction.

Facility amenities: The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, lounge, meeting rooms, business center, internet access, as well as laundry and room service.

Smoking policy: YesSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Thirteen: Monday, September 16 - Tire/Istanbul

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Transfer to Izmir Airport and take the morning flight to Istanbul. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation tour of the old city.

Lunch: Lunch in Istanbul at a typical restaurant

Afternoon: Visit the Hippodrome and the Blue Mosque. An awe inspiring architectural site dominating the old city of Istanbul, the Blue Mosque captures visitors with its impressive volume and its majestic dome as soon they enter the mosque. This mosque is famous for its exquisite tile-work decoration from the 16th and 17th centuries, hence one of the reasons for its name.

Description: The Hotel Armada's exterior and interior architecture reflect local turkish motifs. Located in the Old City, Armada Hotel is right by the Old City walls and along the Sea of Marmara. It's convenient location is within walking distance of many sites of attraction.

Facility amenities: The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, lounge, meeting rooms, business center, internet access, as well as laundry and room service.

Smoking policy: YesSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Fourteen: Tuesday, September 17 -

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Lecture on the Urban Development of Istanbul from an architectural perspective.

Lunch: Lunch in Istanbul at a typical restaurant

Afternoon: Excursions to Hagia Sophia, Church of the Savior in Chora and the Underground Cisterns.Undoubtedly, the most important landmark of the city, Hagia Sophia has withstood the rigors of time since 537 AD. Often dubbed as the masterpiece of Byzantine architecture, the Church of Holy Wisdom is a mind-baffling structure with its huge mystical dome suspended above a basilical plan and the magnificent mosaics that still glisten­ across galleries.
A little gem of a church, tucked away by the ancient walls of the city, a visit to the Chora Museum is a must to witness the splendid masterpieces of late Byzantine art in the form of exquisite mosaics and frescoes. The artistic styles demonstrated in this church foreshadows the dawn of European Renaissance.

Description: The Hotel Armada's exterior and interior architecture reflect local turkish motifs. Located in the Old City, Armada Hotel is right by the Old City walls and along the Sea of Marmara. It's convenient location is within walking distance of many sites of attraction.

Facility amenities: The hotel offers a restaurant, bar, lounge, meeting rooms, business center, internet access, as well as laundry and room service.

Smoking policy: YesSmoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Fifteen: Wednesday, September 18 -

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Visit the Topkapi Palace and Rustem Pasha Mosque to witness Ottoman architecture in its golden years.This immense palace that was started to be built in 15th century, was the seat of the Ottoman Sultans who ruled the once most powerful Empire of Europe for 400 years. This Palace demonstrates the wealth and power that was controlled by the Ottomans between 15th and 18th centuries. Its massive courtyards, maze of corridors and alleys in the exotic and inspiring Harem, lush gardens, domes and chimneys certainly make up one of the most impressive skylines of the city.

Lunch: Lunch in Istanbul.

Afternoon: This afternoon will be spent exploring some of Istanbul's bazaars, including the Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar. You will have ome free time to exlore these bazaars.The Spice Bazaar is located in the busy commercial district of the old city right by the Golden Horn. The Bazaar and the surroundings are perfect places to witness the vibrant commercial activity that this city has been attracting for thousands of years. Spices have been traded in this Bazaar since mid 17th century and this Bazaar continues to capture its visitors with its exotic aromas of the Orient.
Wits maze-like alleys and narrow streets, the Grand Bazaar attracts everyone like a magnet, shopper or sightseer alike. It is an absolute delight to stroll the streets of this 500 year-old colorful bazaar. Your intentions could be to look for bargains in various Turkish handicrafts, to shop for precious old kilims, to find the workshops of the skillful goldsmiths, to sip a cup of Turkish coffee at the old coffeehouse, or to take pictures of the artisans and shopkeepers, you are guaranteed to have a great time in the Bazaar.

Important information about your itinerary: Please know that while we do everything we can to finalize all aspects of our programs well in advance, there are logistics that occasionally must be altered. Our website will reflect the most recent information, and we are committed to providing you with final program details no later than eight weeks prior to the start of programs outside the U.S. and three weeks prior to the start of programs within the U.S. If you ever have questions about your program, please don't hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

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The latest in light, portable, easy-to-use QUIETVOX listening devices are available on Road Scholar programs.* Whether you are outdoors, in a crowd or in a museum environment where speaking loudly is discouraged, a listening device makes it feel like our experts are speaking clearly and directly to you. Hear for yourself on a Road Scholar adventure!

*Please note that due to the nature of some programs, the remote location or government regulations, listening devices may not be available. If you’d like to know for sure if your program will offer listening devices, just call and ask an Advisor!